Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes at least one first gate structure and at least one second gate structure on a semiconductor substrate. The at least one first gate structure has a flat upper surface extending in a first direction and a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The at least one second gate structure has a convex upper surface extending in the first direction and a second width in the second direction, the second width being greater than the first width.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0036761, filed on Mar. 17, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device including a gate structure and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor using polysilicon is widely known as an example of a gate electrode. Polysilicon is more durable than most metals at a relatively high temperature so that polysilicon along with source and drain regions may be annealed at the relatively high temperature. Polysilicon may be used to form a self-aligned source and drain structure after gate patterning is complete. However, because polysilicon has relatively high resistance compared to most metal materials, a polysilicon gate electrode has a lower operating speed than a metal gate electrode. As a method of compensating for the relatively high resistance of polysilicon, a method of replacing the polysilicon gate electrode with the metal gate electrode may be used. Such a method may be performed using a replacement metal gate (RMG) process. While polysilicon exists on a semiconductor substrate, a relatively high temperature process may be performed, and then, a metal gate may be formed by removing the polysilicon and replacing it with metal.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts provide a semiconductor device having improved operating performance and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.

According to example embodiments of the inventive concepts, a semiconductor device includes at least one first gate structure on a semiconductor substrate, the at least one first gate structure having a flat upper surface extending in a first direction and having a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and at least one second gate structure on the semiconductor substrate, the at least one second gate structure having a convex upper surface extending in the first direction and having a second width in the second direction, the second width being greater than the first width.

According to example embodiments of the inventive concepts, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate defining a first region and a second region, at least first and second fins protruding from the semiconductor substrate, the at least first and second fins extending in a first direction, at least one first gate structure on the first region of the semiconductor substrate and covering upper and side surfaces of the first fin, the at least one first gate structure having a flat upper surface extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having a first width in the first direction, and at least one second gate structure on the second region of the semiconductor substrate and covering upper and side surfaces of the second fin, the at least one second gate structure having a convex upper surface extending in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction and having a second width greater than the first width in the first direction.

According to example embodiments of the inventive concepts, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of dummy gate structures extending in a first direction on a semiconductor substrate, each of the plurality of dummy gate structures including a dummy gate insulating film and a dummy gate electrode, forming spacers on side walls of the plurality of dummy gate structures, forming an interlayer insulating film covering the semiconductor substrate, planarizing the interlayer insulating film such that upper surfaces of the plurality of dummy gate structures are exposed, removing the plurality of dummy gate structures, forming a first insulating film and a metal film on the interlayer insulating film and on a portion of the semiconductor substrate where the plurality of dummy gate structures are removed, and forming a plurality of gate structures by planarizing the first insulating film and the metal film such that an upper surface of the interlayer insulating film is exposed, each of the plurality of gate structures including a gate insulating film and a metal gate electrode, the plurality of gate structures including at least one first gate structure having a flat upper surface, the at least one first gate structure having a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and at least one second gate structure having a convex upper surface, the at least one second gate structure having a second width greater than the first width in the second direction.

According to example embodiments of the inventive concepts, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes etching a portion of a semiconductor substrate to form trenches, forming a protrusion structure protruding from the semiconductor substrate between the trenches, the protrusion structure extending in a first direction, forming a device isolation film by filling a portion of the trenches with insulating materials, forming at least one fin corresponding to an upper portion of the protrusion structure, the at least one fin protruding from the device isolation film, and forming a plurality of gate structures covering a portion of the semiconductor substrate, the device isolation film, and the at least one fin, the plurality of gate structures extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and each of the plurality of gate structures including a gate insulating film and a metal gate electrode, the plurality of gate structures including at least one first gate structure having a flat upper surface, the at least one first gate structure having a first width in the first direction, and at least one second gate structure having a convex upper surface, the at least one second gate structure having a second width greater than the first width in the first direction.

According to example embodiments of the inventive concepts, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region, and at least two gate structures on the semiconductor substrate, the at least two gate structures including at least one first gate structure in the first region, the at least one first gate structure having a flat upper surface extending in a first direction and having a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second gate structure in the second region, the second gate structure having a convex upper surface extending in the first direction and having a second width in the second direction, the second width being greater by at least two times than the first width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a semiconductor device, according to example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ of the semiconductor device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion M1 of the semiconductor device of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 through 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating semiconductor devices corresponding to a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of FIG. 2, according to example embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a semiconductor device, according to example embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II′ of the semiconductor device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines III-III′ and IV-IV′ of the semiconductor device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion M2 of the semiconductor device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor device corresponding to a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of FIG. 10, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views illustrating a semiconductor device, respectively, corresponding to cross-sectional views of the semiconductor devices of FIGS. 10 and 11, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are circuit and layout diagrams, respectively, for describing a semiconductor device, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are block diagrams respectively illustrating electronic systems including semiconductor devices, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are schematic diagrams illustrating example electronic systems applicable to semiconductor devices, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 22A through 22F are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of FIGS. 1 through 3, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of FIG. 4, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 24A through 24D are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of FIG. 8, according to example embodiments;

FIGS. 25A through 25G are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of FIGS. 9 through 12, corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′ of the semiconductor device of FIG. 9, according to example embodiments; and

FIGS. 26A through 26G are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of FIGS. 9 through 12, corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the lines III-III′ and IV-IV′ of the semiconductor device of FIG. 9, according to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concepts now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements of the inventive concepts are shown.

The inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concepts to one of ordinary skill in the art.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present therebetween. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it may be “directly connected” to the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. Structures or sizes of elements in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of description and clarity and parts in the drawings unrelated to the detailed description are omitted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, and/or section. For example, a first element, component, region, layer, and/or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, and/or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one component and/or feature to another component and/or feature, or other component(s) and/or feature(s), as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments may be described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized example embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will typically have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature, their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device, and their shapes are not intended to limit the scope of the example embodiments.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a semiconductor device 100, according to example embodiments. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of the semiconductor device 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion M1 of the semiconductor device 100 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the semiconductor device 100 of example embodiments may include a semiconductor substrate 101, gate structures 110 a and 110 b, and interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b.

The semiconductor substrate 101 may include a first region A and a second region B. An active region ACT extending in a first direction (X direction) may be defined by device isolation films 105 a and 105 b on the semiconductor substrate 101. The first gate structure 110 a extending in a second direction (y direction) may be disposed in the first region A. The second gate structure 110 b extending in the second direction (y direction) may be disposed in the second region B.

Meanwhile, although the active region ACT is disposed to perpendicularly cross the gate structures 110 a and 110 b in FIG. 1, the active region ACT and the gate structures 110 a and 110 b may cross each other at an angle that is not perpendicular. Although one active region ACT crosses the gate structures 110 a and 110 b in FIG. 1, a plurality of active regions ACT may cross the gate structures 110 a and 110 b. Furthermore, the active regions ACT of the first region A and the active regions ACT of the second region B extend in the first direction (x direction), whereas they may extend in different directions. The active regions ACT of the first region A and the active regions ACT of the second region B have a same width in the second direction (y direction), whereas they may have different widths in the second direction (y direction).

The semiconductor substrate 101 may be based on a silicon bulk wafer or a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer. A material of the semiconductor substrate 101 is not limited to silicon. For example, the semiconductor substrate 101 may include a Group IV semiconductor, e.g., germanium (Ge), a Group IV-IV compound semiconductor, e.g., silicon germanium (SiGe) or silicon carbide (SiC), or a Group III-V compound semiconductor, e.g., gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium arsenide (InAs), or indium phosphide (InP). The semiconductor substrate 101 may be based on a SiGe wafer, an epitaxial wafer, a polished wafer and/or an annealed wafer.

The semiconductor substrate 101 may be a p or an n type substrate. For example, the semiconductor substrate 101 may be the p type substrate including p type impurity ions or the n type substrate including n type impurity ions. Meanwhile, as described above, the semiconductor substrate 101 may include the active region ACT defined by the device isolation films 105 a and 105 b, e.g., shallow trench isolation (STI) on an upper portion thereof. The active region ACT may include an impurity region formed by injecting impurity ions, i.e. dopants, into the semiconductor substrate 101 at a relatively high concentration. For example, the active region ACT may include source/drain regions 107 a and 107 b formed by injecting dopants more than 1E20/cm3 into the semiconductor substrate 101.

The device isolation films 105 a and 105 b may be formed to have a structure surrounding the active region ACT as a region defining the active region ACT. The device isolation films 105 a and 105 b may be disposed between the active regions ACT and electrically isolate the active regions ACT. The device isolation films 105 a and 105 b may include the first device isolation film 105 a disposed in the first region A and the second device isolation film 105 b disposed in the second region B. The device isolation films 105 a and 105 b may include, for example, at least one of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, and a combination of these.

The gate structures 110 a and 110 b may extend across the active region ACT in the second direction (y direction) on the semiconductor substrate 101 and may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction (x direction) by interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b. The gate structures 110 a and 110 b may include the first gate structure 110 a disposed in the first region A and the second gate structure 110 b disposed in the second region B. The interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b may include the first interlayer insulating film 120 a disposed in the first region A and the second interlayer insulating film 120 b disposed in the second region B. Meanwhile, spacers 130 a and 130 b may be disposed between the gate structures 110 a and 110 b and the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b. The spacers 130 a and 130 b may include the first spacer 130 a disposed in the first region A and the second spacer 130 b disposed in the second region B. The spacers 130 a and 130 b are included in the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b and are not separately illustrated in FIG. 1.

Meanwhile, when elements are not clearly distinguished as first and second elements below, an element with a reference numeral “a” may indicate a structure formed in the first region A, and an element with a reference numeral “b” may indicate a structure formed in the second region B.

The interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b and the spacers 130 a and 130 b may be formed to include, for example, at least one of the silicon oxide film, the silicon nitride film, the silicon oxynitride film, and the combination of these. The interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b and the spacers 130 a and 130 b may be formed of materials having different etch selectivity. For example, when the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b are formed as the silicon oxide film, the spacers 130 a and 130 b may be formed as the silicon nitride film.

The gate structures 110 a and 110 b may include gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b and metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b. The gate structures 110 a and 110 b may be distinguished as the first gate structure 110 a disposed in the first region A and the second gate structure 110 b disposed in the second region B.

The gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may be disposed between the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b and the active region ACT and may be formed of at least one selected from the silicon oxide film, the silicon nitride film, the silicon oxynitride film, oxide/nitride/oxide (ONO) and a high-k dielectric film having a higher dielectric constant than the silicon oxide film. For example, the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may have a dielectric constant in the range of about 10 and about 25.

For specific example, the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may be formed of a metal oxide (e.g., hafnium oxide (HfO₂), zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), titanium oxide (TiO₂), and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃)), a silicate thereof, or an aluminate thereof. The gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may be formed of a metal oxynitride (e.g., aluminum oxynitride (AlON), zirconium oxynitride (ZrON), hafnium oxynitride (HfON), lanthanum oxynitride (LaON), and yttrium oxynitride (YON)), a silicate thereof, or an aluminate thereof. Furthermore, the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may be formed of a perovskite-type oxide, a niobate or tantalite system material, a tungsten-bronze system material, or a Bi-layered perovskite system material.

The gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may be formed using various deposition methods, e.g., chemical vapor deposition (CVD), low pressure CVD (LPCVD), atmospheric pressure CVD (APCVD), low temperature CVD (LTCVD), plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), atomic layer CVD (ALCVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), or physical vapor deposition (PVD). Meanwhile, the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may be formed between not only the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b and the active region ACT but also the spacers 130 a and 130 b and the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b as shown.

The metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b may be formed as one metal film or at least two metal films. For example, the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b may include a barrier metal film and an electrode metal film. In this regard, the barrier metal film may include at least one material selected from W, WN, WC, Ti, TiN, Ta, TaN, Ru, Co, Mn, WN, Ni, and NiB, and may be formed as a single layer or a multilayer. The electrode metal film may include at least one of Al, Cu, and W. For example, the electrode metal film may include Cu, CuSn, CuMg, CuNi, CuZn, CuPd, CuAu, CuRe, CuW, W, or W alloy but is not limited thereto. The electrode metal film may also include one or more selected from Al, Au, Be, Bi, Co, Cu, Hf, In, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, Re, Ru, Ta, Te, Ti, W, Zn, and Zr, and may have a one or two or more stack structures. The barrier metal film and the electrode metal film may be formed through PVD or CVD but are not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the gate structures 110 a and 110 b may include a work function adjusting film between the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b and the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b. The work function adjusting film may include, for example, at least one of TiN, TaC, TaN, and TaCN. In more detail, the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b may include a p type metal gate electrode or an n type metal gate electrode according to a channel type of a transistor that is to be formed. For example, when first and second active regions that are spaced apart from each other are defined on the semiconductor substrate 101, a PMOS is formed in the first active region, and an NMOS is formed in the second active region, the gate structures 110 a and 110 b constituting the PMOS may include the p type metal gate electrode, and the gate structures 110 a and 110 b constituting the NMOS may include the n type metal gate electrode. Meanwhile, the work function adjusting film may be formed only in a lower portion of the p type metal gate electrode and may not be formed in a lower portion of the n type metal gate electrode.

Meanwhile, a width of the first gate structure 110 a of the first region A in the first direction (x direction) may have a first width W1, and a width of the second gate structure 110 b of the second region B in the first direction (x direction) may have a second width W2. For example, the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a may be less than 80 nm, and the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b may be more than 80 nm. Upon comparing the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a and the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b, the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b may be more than 2 times the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a. However, the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a and the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b are not limited thereto.

In the semiconductor device 100 of example embodiments, it is assumed that thicknesses of the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b are relatively small, and the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a and the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b are defined to respectively include the thicknesses of the first and second gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b. However, the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a and the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b may be defined as only widths of the first and second metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b excluding thicknesses of the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b. The first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a may correspond to a channel length of a transistor formed through the first gate structure 110 a in the first direction (x direction). The second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b may correspond to a channel length of a transistor formed through the second gate structure 110 b in the first direction (x direction). This may apply below.

A plurality of the first gate structure 110 a having the first width W1 may be disposed in the first region A. In this regard, gaps between the plurality of first gate structures 110 a in the first direction (x direction) may be similar to the first width W1. In other words, a width of the first interlayer insulating films 120 a disposed between the first gate structures 110 a in the first direction (x direction) may be similar to the first width W. In this regard, the similarity in width may mean a width in a range of from about ½ times to about 2 times a comparison target. Meanwhile, only one second gate structure 110 b having the second width W2 may be disposed in the second region B. A width of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b in the first direction (x direction) surrounding both sides of the second gate structure 110 b in the first direction (x direction) may be similar to the second width W2 or more than 2 times the second width W2. However, the number of the first gate structures 110 a or a width of the first interlayer insulating film 120 a in the first direction (x direction) in the first region A and the number of the second gate structures 110 b or a width of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b in the first direction (x direction) in the second region B are not limited thereto. For example, two second gate structures 110 b may be formed in the second region B, and the width of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b in the first direction (x direction) between the two second gate structures 110 b may be similar to the second width W2.

Meanwhile, an upper surface of the first gate structure 110 a may be flat in the first region A. Upper surfaces of the first interlayer insulating films 120 a between the first gate structure 110 a may also be flat in the first region A. The upper surfaces of the first interlayer insulating films 120 a may have a same height as those of the adjacent first gate structures 110 a and may constitute one plane since the first gate structures 110 a and the first interlayer insulating films 120 a therebetween may have relatively narrow widths according to a design rule in the first region A, and thus the upper surfaces of the first gate structures 110 a and the upper surfaces of the first interlayer insulating films 120 a may be flat during chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) performed on the first gate structures 110 a. In addition, the spacers 130 a may be disposed between the first gate structures 110 a and the first interlayer insulating films 120 a, may have upper surfaces having a same height as those of the adjacent first gate structures 110 a and first interlayer insulating films 120 a, and the upper surfaces of the spacers 130 a, the first gate structures 110 a and the first interlayer insulating films 120 a may also constitute one plane.

An upper surface of the second gate structure 110 b may have a convex center portion in the second region B. In other words, the second gate structure 110 b may have a center height Hgc from an upper surface Fs of the semiconductor substrate 101 in the center portion and may have an edge height He from the upper surface Fs of the semiconductor substrate 101 in an edge portion. The center height Hgc may be the highest in the second gate structure 110 b. The edge height Hge may be the lowest in the second gate structure 110 b. In this regard, the second gate structure 110 b includes the gate insulating film 112 b and the metal gate electrode 114 b, and thus the edge portion of the second gate structure 110 b may correspond to an edge portion of the gate insulating film 112 b. The upper surface of the second gate structure 110 b may be gently tapered toward the edge portion from the center portion. For example, the upper surface of the second gate structure 110 b may have a first incline θ1 with the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 101.

Meanwhile, a height of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b may get increasingly lower than the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 101 the farther away from the second gate structure 110 b. For example, when an outermost portion of FIG. 2 is the center portion of the second interlayer insulting film 120 b farthest from the second gate structure 110 b, the center portion of the second interlayer insulting film 120 b may have a center height Hic from the upper surface Fs of the semiconductor substrate 101, and an edge portion adjacent to the second gate structure 110 b may have an edge height Hie from the upper surface Fs of the semiconductor substrate 101. The center height Hic may be the lowest in the second interlayer insulting film 120 b. The edge height Hie may be the highest in the second interlayer insulting film 120 b. In this regard, one side surface of the second interlayer insulting film 120 b may be adjacent to the second gate structure 110 b in the first direction (x direction) and another side surface thereof may be adjacent to another second gate structure 110 b or a semiconductor structure other than the second gate structure 110 b. The upper surface of the second interlayer insulting film 120 b may be gently tapered toward the center portion from the edge portion. For example, the upper surface of the second interlayer insulting film 120 b may have a second incline θ2 with the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 101. Meanwhile, the first incline θ1 and the second incline θ2 may be the same or different.

In addition, the spacers 130 b may be disposed between the second gate structure 110 b and the second interlayer insulating film 120 b as shown, and an upper surface thereof may have a gentle incline with respect to the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 101. For example, the upper surface of the spacer 130 b may have an incline that smoothly connects the edge portion of the second gate structure 110 b and the edge portion of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b.

In the second region B, the upper surface of the second gate structure 110 b and the upper surface of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b are formed to have a gentle incline with respect to the semiconductor substrate 101 due to a difference in an etching speed between the second metal gate electrode 114 b that is metal and the second interlayer insulating film 120 b that is not metal during CPM performed on the second gate structure 110 b. For example, when CPM is performed by selecting an appropriate polishing agent, since an etching speed of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b is faster than that of the second metal gate electrode 114 b, the second interlayer insulating film 120 b may be etched faster than the second metal gate electrode 114 b. However, an upper surface of the second metal gate electrode 114 b and the upper surface of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b may not have a step in a boundary portion. Thus, the upper surface of the second metal gate electrode 114 b may be higher than the upper surface of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b as shown while having a gentle incline and a continuous connection therebetween. The upper surface of the spacer 130 b may also be formed according to the same principle, connect the second gate structure 110 b and the second interlayer insulating film 120 b, and have a gentle incline with respect to the semiconductor substrate 101.

The gate structure 110 a of the first region A may generally constitute a transistor of a relatively dense cell region according to the design rule. The gate structure 110 b of the second region B may generally constitute a transistor of a logic region or a peripheral region larger than the transistor of the cell region. However, the regions of the gate structure 110 a of the first region A and the gate structure 110 b of the second region B are not limited thereto. For example, the gate structure 110 a of the first region A may be applied to the transistor of the logic region.

Meanwhile, in a boundary portion of the first region A and the second region B of FIG. 2, a height of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b of the second region B is lower than that of the first interlayer insulating film 120 a of the first region A since the boundary portion corresponds to a center portion of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b. Accordingly, if the boundary portion corresponds to an edge portion of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b, the height of the second interlayer insulating film 120 b may be almost same as the height of the first interlayer insulating film 120 a. The gate structure 110 a of the first region A may generally constitute the transistor of the cell region. This may apply to other embodiments below.

In the semiconductor device 100 of example embodiments, the first gate structure 110 a having a narrow width and a flat upper surface may be disposed in the first region A, and the second gate structure 110 b having a broad width and a convex upper surface may be disposed in the second region B. The plurality of first gate structures 110 a may be disposed in the first region A. The one second gate structure 110 b may be disposed in the second region B. As described above, gate structures having different constructions and different numbers are disposed in the first region A and the second region B, thereby improving entire reliability and operating performance of the semiconductor device 100. For example, the first gate structures 110 a having the same construction are formed in the first region A, and thus transistors having a uniform characteristic may be implemented, thereby contributing to an improvement of reliability of the semiconductor device 100. The second gate structures 110 b having an edge portion of a gentle incline is formed in the second region B, and thus a defect decreases in the edge portion, a transistor of improved operating performance is implemented, thereby contributing to an improvement of reliability and operating performance of the semiconductor device 100.

FIGS. 4 through 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating semiconductor devices 100 a through 100 e corresponding to a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device 100 of FIG. 2, according to example embodiments. The description already made with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 will be briefly given or omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 4, the semiconductor device 100 a of example embodiments may be different from the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 in constructions of gate structures 110 a 1 and 110 b 1. For example, each of the first and second gate structures 110 a 1 and 110 b 1 may include gate insulating films 112 a 1 and 112 b 1, lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1, and upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 1 and 116 b 1.

The gate insulating films 112 a 1 and 112 b 1 may be disposed only between the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 and the semiconductor substrate 101. That is, the gate insulating films 112 a 1 and 112 b 1 may not be formed on side surfaces of the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1. Materials or methods of forming the gate insulating films 112 a 1 and 112 b 1 are the same as described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 above.

The lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 may include at least one of, for example, TiN, TaN, TaC, TaCN, TiAl, and TiAlC. The lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 may function as a work function adjusting film and/or a barrier metal film. Accordingly, the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 may include the barrier metal film or may be formed separately from the barrier metal film.

The upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 1 and 116 b 1 may correspond to the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. Accordingly, materials or methods of forming the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 1 and 116 b 1 are the same as described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 above.

Although not shown, the first and second gate structures 110 a 1 and 110 b 1 may include the work function adjusting films. The work function adjusting films may be formed between the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 and the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 1 and 116 b 1 or may be formed on lower portions of the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1.

In the semiconductor device 100 a of example embodiments, the first gate structure 110 a 1 disposed in the first region A may have a narrow width and a flat upper surface in a first direction (x direction), and the second gate structure 110 b 1 disposed in the second region B may have a broad width and a convex upper surface in the first direction (x direction). Detailed descriptions of widths and constructions of the first gate structure 110 a 1, the second gate structure 110 b 1, the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b, and the spacers 130 a and 130 b are the same as described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 above.

Although in the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3, the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a and the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b include thicknesses of the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b of side surfaces of the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b, since in the semiconductor device 100 a of example embodiments, the gate insulating films 112 a 1 and 112 b 1 are not formed in the side surfaces of the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b, the first width W1 of the first gate structure 110 a 1 and the second width W2 of the second gate structure 110 b 1 may include only widths of the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 and the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 1 and 116 b 1 in the first direction (x direction).

Referring to FIG. 5, the semiconductor device 100 b of example embodiments may be different from the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 in constructions of gate structures 110 a 2 and 110 b 2. For example, each of the first and second gate structures 110 a 2 and 110 b 2 may include gate insulating films 112 a 2 and 112 b 2, lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 2 and 114 b 2, and upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 2 and 116 b 2.

Constructions of the gate insulating films 112 a 2 and 112 b 2 may be similar to those of the gate structures 112 a and 112 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 above. That is, the gate insulating films 112 a 2 and 112 b 2 may be formed on not only lower surfaces of the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 2 and 114 b 2 but also side surfaces thereof. Materials of the gate insulating films 112 a 2 and 112 b 2 are the same as described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 above.

Constructions and materials of the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 2 and 114 b 2 and the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 2 and 116 b 2 are the same as those described with reference to the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 and the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 1 and 116 b 1 of the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4 above.

Referring to FIG. 6, the semiconductor device 100 c of example embodiments may be different from the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 in constructions of gate structures 110 a 3 and 110 b 3. For example, each of the first and second gate structures 110 a 3 and 110 b 3 may include gate insulating films 112 a 3 and 112 b 3 and metal gate electrodes 114 a 3 and 114 b 3.

The gate insulating films 112 a 3 and 112 b 3 may be disposed only between the metal gate electrodes 114 a 3 and 114 b 3 and the semiconductor substrate 101 as in the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4, and may not be formed on side surfaces of the metal gate electrodes 114 a 3 and 114 b 3.

The metal gate electrodes 114 a 3 and 114 b 3 may be formed on the gate insulating films 112 a 3 and 112 b 3 and may include barrier metal films on the outside thereof. Materials or methods of forming the metal gate electrodes 114 a 3 and 114 b 3 are the same as those described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 above.

Referring to FIG. 7, the semiconductor device 100 d of example embodiments may be different from the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 in constructions of gate structures 110 a 4 and 110 b 4. For example, each of the first and second gate structures 110 a 4 and 110 b 4 may include gate insulating films 112 a 4 and 112 b 4, lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 4 and 114 b 4, and upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 4 and 116 b 4.

The gate insulating films 112 a 4 and 112 b 4 may be disposed only between the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 4 and 114 b 4 and the semiconductor substrate 101 as in the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4. The lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 4 and 114 b 4 may be formed only between the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 4 and 116 b 4 and the gate insulating films 112 a 4 and 112 b 4. That is, the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 4 and 114 b 4 may not be formed on side surfaces of the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 4 and 116 b 4 unlike in the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4.

Materials or methods of forming the gate insulating films 112 a 4 and 112 b 4, the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 4 and 114 b 4, and the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 4 and 116 b 4 are the same as those described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4 above.

In the semiconductor devices 100 b, 100 c, and 100 d of FIGS. 5 through 7, the first gate structures 110 a 2, 110 a 3, and 110 a 4 disposed in the first region A may have narrow widths and flat upper surfaces in the first direction (x direction), and the second gate structures 110 b 2, 110 b 3, and 110 b 4 disposed in the second region B may have broad widths and convex upper surfaces in the first direction (x direction). As described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 above, upper surfaces of the first gate structures 110 a 2, 110 a 3, and 110 a 4, the spacer 130 a, and the interlayer insulating film 120 a may have a same height and constitute one plane in the first region A, and upper surfaces of the second gate structures 110 b 2, 110 b 3, and 110 b 4, the spacer 130 b, and the interlayer insulating film 120 b may have gentle inclines tapered toward a center potion of the interlayer insulating film 120 b from center portions of the second gate structures 110 b 2, 110 b 3, and 110 b 4.

Referring to FIG. 8, the semiconductor device 100 e of example embodiments may be different from the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, and 100 d in constructions of gate structures 110 a 5, 110 a 5-1, and 110 b 5-1. For example, the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 and the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 may be formed in the first region A, and the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 may be formed in the second region B.

The n type first gate structure 110 a 5 may include a gate insulating film 112 a 5, a lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5, a barrier metal film 116 a 5, and an upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5. The gate insulating film 112 a 5 may be formed to surround lower and side surfaces of the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5. A material or a method of forming the gate insulating film 112 a 5 are the same as that described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 above.

The lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 may be formed on the gate insulating film 112 a 5 to surround lower and side surfaces of the barrier metal film 116 a 5. The lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 may include at least one of, for example, TiN, TaN, TaC, TaCN, TiAl, and TiAlC, and may function as the work function adjusting film. In the semiconductor device 100 e of example embodiments, the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 may be formed of TiAlC. Although not shown, the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 may include a capping film formed to be thin on the gate insulating film 112 a 5. The capping film may function as a barrier metal film, and may be formed of, for example, TiN.

The barrier metal film 116 a 5 may be formed to surround lower and side surfaces of the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 on the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5. The barrier metal film 116 a 5 may include at least one material selected from W, WN, WC, Ti, TiN, Ta, TaN, Ru, Co, Mn, WN, Ni, and NiB, and may be formed as a single layer or a multilayer. In the semiconductor device 100 e of example embodiments, the barrier metal film 116 a 5 may be formed of TiN.

The upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 may be formed on the barrier metal film 116 a 5. The upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 may correspond to the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. Accordingly, a material or a method of forming the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 is the same as that described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 above. In the semiconductor device 100 e of example embodiments, the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 may be formed of, for example, W.

The p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 may include the gate insulating film 112 a 5, a lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1, and the barrier metal film 116 a 5. A construction, a material, and a method of forming the gate insulating film 112 a 5 are the same as those described with reference to the gate insulating film 112 a 5 of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 above.

The lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 may be formed on the gate insulating film 112 a 5 to surround lower and side surfaces of the barrier metal film 116 a 5. The lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 may be thicker than the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5. The lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 may further include, for example, a p type work function adjusting film. In other words, the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 may include the p type work function adjusting film and a common work function adjusting film corresponding to the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5. The p type work function adjusting film may be formed of, for example, TiN. The common work function adjusting film may be formed of TiAlC. Meanwhile, the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 may further include a capping film between the p type work function adjusting film and the common work function adjusting film. The capping film may be formed of TiN, like the p type work function adjusting film.

The barrier metal film 116 a 5 may be formed on the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1. The barrier metal film 116 a 5 may be formed of the same material as that of the barrier metal film 116 a 5 of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5. For example, the barrier metal film 116 a 5 may be formed of TiN. The upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 may not be formed in the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 since a space in which the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 is to be formed is insufficient due to the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 that is formed to be thick. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 24A through 24D. However, the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 may be formed in the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1. For example, when the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 is formed to be thin or a width of the type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 in the first direction (x direction) is broad, the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 may be formed in the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1.

The second gate structure 110 b 5-1 may include a gate insulating film 112 b 5, a lower metal gate electrode 114 b 5-1, a barrier metal film 116 b 5, and an upper metal gate electrode 118 b 5. The second gate structure 110 b 5-1 may be similar to the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 in a layer structure, whereas the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 may be different from the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 in that the lower metal gate electrode 114 b 5-1 is formed of the same material and construction as those of the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 of the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1.

In other words, the gate insulating film 112 b 5, the barrier metal film 116 b 5, and the upper metal gate electrode 118 b 5 of the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 are the same as the gate insulating film 112 a 5, the barrier metal film 116 a 5, and the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5, respectively. The lower metal gate electrode 114 b 5-1 of the of the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 may include a p type work function adjusting film, a capping film, a common work function adjusting film, and may be thicker than the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5.

Meanwhile, a width of the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 in the first direction (x direction) may be greater than that of the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 in the first direction (x direction), and thus the upper metal gate electrode 118 b 5 may be formed on the barrier metal film 116 b 5.

In the semiconductor device 100 e of example embodiments, the lower metal gate electrode 114 b 5-1 of the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 of the second region B is formed of the same construction and material as those of the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 of the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1, whereas the lower metal gate electrode 114 b 5-1 of the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 of the second region B may be formed of the same construction and material as those of the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 according to a function. Although only one p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 is formed in the first region A, the number of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 and the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 is not limited and may be adjusted in various ways. Furthermore, the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 and the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 are not mixed in the first region A but one channel type first gate structure may be only disposed.

In the semiconductor device 100 e of example embodiments, the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 and the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 disposed in the first region A may have narrow widths and flat upper surfaces in the first direction (x direction), and the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 disposed in the second region B may have a broad width and a convex upper surface in the first direction (x direction). Meanwhile, widths of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 and the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 in the first direction (x direction) may be the same in the first region A. However, one of the widths of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5 and the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 may be greater according to circumstances.

As described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 above, upper surfaces of the n type first gate structure 110 a 5, the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1, the spacer 130 a, and the interlayer insulating film 120 a of the semiconductor device 100 e of example embodiments may have a same height and constitute one plane in the first region A, and upper surfaces of the second gate structure 110 b 5-1, the spacer 130 b, and the interlayer insulating film 120 b may have gentle inclines tapered toward a center potion of the interlayer insulating film 120 b from a center portion of the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 in the second region B.

The semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, and 100 e including gate structures of various constructions are described above. However, the inventive concepts are not limited to the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, and 100 e. For example, when a gate structure has a narrow width corresponding to a channel length and a flat upper surface in one region, and another gate structure has a broad width corresponding to a channel length and a convex upper surface in another region, a semiconductor device may belong to the inventive concepts irrespective of constructions of the gate structures.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a semiconductor device 200, according to example embodiments. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of the semiconductor device 200 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines III-III′ and IV-IV′ of the semiconductor device 200 of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion M2 of the semiconductor device 200 of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 12, the semiconductor device 200 of example embodiments may include an active area having a structure of fins 240 a and 240 b on the semiconductor substrate 201. The first region A and the second region B may respectively correspond to the first region A and the second region B of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3.

In more detail, the semiconductor device 200 of example embodiments may include a semiconductor substrate 201, the fins 240 a and 240 b, device isolation films 250 a and 250 b, gate structures 210 a and 210 b, and interlayer insulation films 220 a and 220 b.

The semiconductor substrate 201 may correspond to the semiconductor substrate 101 of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The fins 240 a and 240 b may have a structure in which the fins 240 a and 240 b protrude from the semiconductor substrate 201 and extend in the first direction (x direction). A plurality of fins 240 a and 240 b may be formed on the semiconductor substrate 201 in the second direction (y direction). The fins 240 a and 240 b may include the first fin 240 a of the first region A and the second fin 240 b of the second region B. The first fins 240 a and the second fin 240 b may be electrically insulated from each other through a device isolation film. However, the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b may be connected to each other. Although the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b extend in the same direction in example embodiments, the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b may extend in different directions.

Each of the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b may include lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 and upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2. The lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 may be formed based on the semiconductor substrate 101. The upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may be formed as epitaxial films grown from the lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1. As shown in FIG. 10, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may constitute a source/drain region with respect to the gate structures 210 a and 210 b, and the lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 may constitute a channel region in a lower portion of the gate structures 210 a and 210 b.

When the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b include the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 formed as the epitaxial films, the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b may include silicon or germanium that is a semiconductor element. The first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b may include a compound semiconductor, e.g., a Group IV-IV compound semiconductor or a Group III-V compound semiconductor. For example, the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b may include, as the Group IV-IV compound semiconductor, a binary compound or a ternary compound including at least two or more elements from among carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and tin (Sn), or a compound in which the binary compound or the ternary compound is doped with a Group IV element. The first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b may include, as the Group III-V compound semiconductor, one of a binary compound, a ternary compound, and a quaternary compound that are formed by combining at least one of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and indium (In) as a Group III element and one of phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), and antimony (Sb). Structures and methods of forming the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 25A through 26G.

Meanwhile, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 of the fins 240 a and 240 b may be formed in both sides of the gate structures 210 a and 210 b on the lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 and may include a compression stress material or a tensile stress material according to a channel type of a required transistor. For example, when a p type transistor is formed, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 of the fins 240 a and 240 b formed in both sides of the gate structures 210 a and 210 b may include the compression stress material. In more detail, when the lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 are formed of silicon, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may be formed of a material having a greater grid constant than silicon, for example, silicon germanium (SiGe), as the compression stress material. When an n type transistor is formed, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 of the fins 240 a and 240 b formed in both sides of the gate structures 210 a and 210 b may include the tensile stress material. In more detail, when the lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 are formed of silicon, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may be formed of silicon or a material having a smaller grid constant than silicon, for example, silicon carbide (SiC), as the tensile stress material.

In addition, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may have various shapes in the semiconductor device 200 of example embodiments. For example, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may have various shapes, e.g., diamond, circular, oval, and polygonal shapes, on a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the first direction (x direction). FIG. 9 illustrates an example pentagonal diamond shape.

The device isolation films 250 a and 250 b may be formed on the semiconductor substrate 201 and may include the first device isolation film 250 a of the first region A and the second device isolation film 250 b of the second region B. The first device isolation film 250 a may be formed to surround both side surfaces of the lower fin 240 a-1 of the first fin 240 a. The second device isolation film 250 b may be formed to surround both side surfaces of the lower fin 240 b-1 of the second fin 240 b.

The device isolation films 250 a and 250 b may correspond to the device isolation films 105 a and 105 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 and may function to electrically isolate fins arranged in the second direction (y direction). The device isolation films 250 a and 250 b may include at least one of, for example, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, a silicon oxynitride film, and a combination of these. A part of the device isolation films 250 a and 250 b may electrically isolate the first fin 240 a and the second fin 240 b.

Meanwhile, the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 of the fins 240 a and 240 b may protrude without being surrounded by the device isolation films 250 a and 250 b. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 of the fins 240 a and 240 b disposed in lower portions of the gate structures 210 a and 210 b may protrude from the device isolation films 250 a and 250 b.

The gate structures 210 a and 210 b may extend in the second direction (y direction) across the fins 240 a and 240 b on the device isolations films 250 a and 250 b and may be disposed in the first direction (x direction). The gate structures 210 a and 210 b may include the first gate structure 210 a of the first region A and the second gate structure 210 b of the second region B.

The gate structures 210 a and 210 b may respectively correspond to the gate structures 110 a and 110 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. However, in the semiconductor device 200 of example embodiments, the gate structures 210 a and 210 b may include gate insulating films 212 a and 212 b, lower metal gate electrodes 214 a and 214 b, and upper metal gate electrodes 216 a and 216 b, similarly to the semiconductor device 100 b of FIG. 5.

The first gate structure 210 a may be formed to surround the first fin 240 a. The second gate structure 210 b may be formed to surround the second fin 240 b. In more detail, the first gate structure 210 a may be formed to surround a part of upper and side surfaces of the lower fin 240 a-1 of the first fin 240 a, and the second gate structure 210 b may be formed to surround a part of upper and side surfaces of the lower fin 240 b-1 of the second fin 240 b. Structures of the gate structures 210 a and 210 b will be more clearly described with reference to FIGS. 25a through 26G. Materials or methods of forming the gate structures 210 a and 210 b are the same as those described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3 and the semiconductor device 100 b of FIG. 5, except for the structures thereof.

The interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b may be formed to cover the fins 240 a and 240 b on the device isolation films 250 a and 250 b. The interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b may include the first interlayer insulating film 220 a of the first region A and the second interlayer insulating film 220 b of the second region B. The first interlayer insulating film 220 a may cover the first fin 240 a on the first device isolation film 250 a and may be formed between the first gate structures 210 a. The second interlayer insulating film 220 b may cover the second fin 240 b on the second device isolation film 250 b and may be formed on both side surfaces of the second gate structures 210 b.

The interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b may have a structure to surround a part of upper and side surfaces of the fins 240 a and 240 b according to the protruding fins 240 a and 240 b that are active regions. In more detail, the interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b may be formed as a structure surrounding the upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 of the fins 240 a and 240 b. The interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b may respectively correspond to the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. Thus, materials or methods of forming the interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b are the same as those described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3.

Spacers 230 a and 230 b may be formed between the interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b and the gate structures 210 a and 210 b. The spacers 230 a and 230 b may surround both side surfaces of the gate structures 210 a and 210 b, extend in the second direction (y direction), and, similarly to the gate structures 210 a and 210 b, may surround upper and side surfaces of the fins 240 a and 240 b across the fins 240 a and 240 b. The spacers 230 a and 230 b may respectively correspond to the spacers 130 a and 130 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. Thus, materials or methods of forming the spacers 230 a and 230 b are the same as those described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3.

Similarly to the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, and 100 e of FIGS. 1 through 8 described above, in the semiconductor device 200 of example embodiments, a width of the first gate structure 210 a in the first direction (x direction) may be small, and a width of the second gate structure 210 b in the first direction (x direction) may be broad. For example, the width of the first gate structure 210 a in the first direction (x direction) may be less than 80 nm, and the width of the second gate structure 210 b in the first direction (x direction) may be more than 80 nm. Upon comparing the first gate structure 210 a and the second gate structure 210 b, the width of the second gate structure 210 b in the first direction (x direction) may be more than two times the width of the first gate structure 210 a in the first direction (x direction). The widths of the first gate structure 210 a and the second gate structure 210 b in the first direction (x direction) are not limited to the above numerical values.

As shown in FIG. 10, upper surfaces of the first gate structure 210 a, the first interlayer insulating film 220 a, and the spacer 230 a may be flat and may have a same height from an upper surface Fs′ of the semiconductor substrate 201. Accordingly, the first gate structure 210 a, the first interlayer insulating film 220 a, and the spacer 230 a may have one flat upper surface. Meanwhile, an upper surface of the second gate structure 210 b may be convex in the center thereof and may be lower toward the outside. In more detail, the second gate structure 210 b may have a center height Hgc from an upper surface of the lower fin 240 b-1 in a center portion and an edge height Hge from the upper surface of the lower fin 240 b-1 in an edge portion. The center height Hgc may be the highest in the second gate structure 210 b. The edge height He may be the lowest in the second gate structure 210 b. The second interlayer insulating film 220 b may have a center height Hic from an upper surface of the upper fin 240 b-2 in a center portion and an edge height Hie from the upper surface of the upper fin 240 b-2 in an edge portion adjacent to the second gate structure 210 b. The center height Hic may be the lowest in the second interlayer insulating film 220 b. The edge height Hie may be the highest in the second interlayer insulating film 220 b. An upper surface of the spacer 230 b disposed between the second gate structure 210 b and the second interlayer insulating film 220 b may have a gentle incline with respect to the upper surface Fs′ of the semiconductor substrate 201. The upper surface of the spacer 230 b may have an incline that smoothly connects the edge portion of the second gate structure 210 b and the edge portion of the second interlayer insulating film 220 b.

The heights of the upper surface of the second gate structure 210 b and the upper surface of the second interlayer insulating film 220 b are described above with respect to cross-sections taken along the line II-II′ of FIG. 9, i.e. center portions of the fins 240 a and 240 b in the second direction (y direction). If other cross-sections are used instead of portions including the fins 240 a and 240 b, the heights of the upper surface of the second gate structure 210 b and the upper surface of the second interlayer insulating film 220 b may be described with respect to the upper surface Fs′ of the semiconductor substrate 201 or upper surfaces of the device isolation films 250 a and 250 b. Although the upper surface Fs′ of the semiconductor substrate 201 or upper surfaces of the device isolation films 250 a and 250 b is used, the heights of the upper surface of the second gate structure 210 b and the upper surface of the second interlayer insulating film 220 b may be almost the same as described above.

In the semiconductor device 200 of example embodiments, the first gate structure 210 a of the first region A in the first direction (x direction) may have a small width and an flat upper surface, and the second gate structure 210 b of the second region B in the first direction (x direction) may have a broad width and a convex upper surface. The first gate structure 210 a, the first interlayer insulating film 220 a, and the spacer 230 a may have the same height and one flat upper surface in the first region A. The second gate structure 210 b, the second interlayer insulating film 220 b, and the spacer 230 b may have the gentle incline lowering toward the center portion of the interlayer insulating film 220 b from the center portion of the second gate structure 210 b in the second region B.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor device 200 a corresponding to a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device of FIG. 10, according to example embodiments. The description already made with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12 will be briefly given or omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 13, the semiconductor device 200 a of example embodiments may be different from the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12 in the construction of gate structures 210 a 1 and 210 b 1. For example, each of the first gate structure 210 a 1 and the second gate structure 210 b 1 may include gate insulating films 212 a 1 and 212 b 1, lower metal gate electrodes 214 a 1 and 214 b 1, and upper metal gate electrodes 216 a 1 and 216 b 1.

The gate insulating films 212 a 1 and 212 b 1 may be disposed only between the lower metal gate electrodes 214 a 1 and 214 b 1 and the lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1, similarly to the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4. That is, the gate insulating films 212 a 1 and 212 b 1 may not be formed in side surfaces of the lower metal gate electrodes 214 a 1 and 214 b 1. Accordingly, materials or methods of forming the gate insulating films 212 a 1 and 212 b 1 are the same as those described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4.

Materials or methods of forming the lower metal gate electrodes 214 a 1 and 214 b 1 and the upper metal gate electrodes 216 a 1 and 216 b 1 are the same as those described with reference to the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4. However, the gate structures 210 a 1 and 210 b 1 are formed to surround a part of upper and lower surfaces of the fins 240 a and 240 b, and thus the gate insulating films 212 a 1 and 212 b 1, the lower metal gate electrodes 214 a 1 and 214 b 1, and the upper metal gate electrodes 216 a 1 and 216 b 1 may be formed to surround a part of the upper and side surfaces of the fins 240 a and 240 b.

In addition, the first gate structure 210 a 1 and the second gate structure 210 b 1 may include a work function adjusting film. The work function adjusting film may be formed between the lower metal gate electrodes 214 a 1 and 214 b 1 and the upper metal gate electrodes 216 a 1 and 216 b 1 or may be formed in lower surfaces of the lower metal gate electrodes 214 a 1 and 214 b 1.

In the semiconductor device 200 a of example embodiments, the first gate structure 210 a 1 disposed in the first region A in the first direction (x direction) may also have a small width and an flat upper surface, and the second gate structure 210 ba disposed in the second region B in the first direction (x direction) may also have a broad width and a convex upper surface. Widths and constructions of the first gate structure 210 a 1, the second gate structure 210 b 1, the interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b, and the spacers 230 a and 230 b are the same as described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views illustrating a semiconductor device 200 b, respectively, corresponding to cross-sectional views of the semiconductor devices of FIGS. 10 and 11, according to example embodiments. The description already made with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12 will be briefly given or omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the semiconductor device 200 b of example embodiments may be different from the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12 or the semiconductor device 200 a of FIG. 13 in the construction of gate structures 210 a 2, 210 a 2-1, and 210 b 2-1. For example, the semiconductor device 200 b of example embodiments may include the n type first gate structure 210 a 2 and the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 in the first region A, and the second gate structure 210 b 2-1 in the second region B, similarly to the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8.

The n type first gate structure 210 a 2 may include a gate insulating film 212 a 2, a lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2, a barrier metal film 216 a 2, and an upper metal gate electrode 218 a 2. A material or a method of forming the gate insulating film 212 a 2 is the same as that described with reference to the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12.

The lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2 may be formed on the gate insulating film 212 a 2 to surround lower and side surfaces of the barrier metal film 216 a 2. A material, a function, and a construction of the lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2 are the same as those described with reference to the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. However, the n type first gate structure 210 a 2 is formed to surround a part of upper and side surfaces of the fin 240 a, and thus the lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2 may be also formed to surround the part of the upper and side surfaces of the fin 240 a.

The barrier metal film 216 a 2 may be formed on the lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2 to surround lower and side surfaces of the upper metal gate electrode 218 a 2. Due to an entire structure of the n type first gate structure 210 a 2, the barrier metal film 216 a 2 may be formed to surround the part of the upper and side surfaces of the fin 240 a. A material of the barrier metal film 216 a 2 is the same as that described with reference to the barrier metal film 116 a 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8.

The upper metal gate electrode 218 a 2 may be formed on the barrier metal film 216 a 2. The upper metal gate electrode 218 a 2 may correspond to the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. Accordingly, the upper metal gate electrode 218 a 2 is the same as the upper metal gate electrode 118 a 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8, except that the upper metal gate electrode 218 a 2 may be formed to surround the part of the upper and side surfaces of the fin 240 a.

The p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 may include the gate insulating film 212 a 2, a lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2-1, and the barrier metal film 216 a 2. The p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 may be generally the same as the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. However, the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 may be different from the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8 in that the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 is also formed to surround the part of the upper and side surfaces of the fin 240 a.

The second gate structure 210 b 2-1 may include a gate insulating film 212 b 2, a lower metal gate electrode 214 b 2-1, a barrier metal film 216 b 2, and an upper metal gate electrode 218 b 2. The second gate structure 210 b 2-1 may be generally the same as the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. However, the second gate structure 210 b 2-1 may be also different from the second gate structure 110 b 5-1 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8 in that the second gate structure 210 b 2-1 is also formed to surround the part of the upper and side surfaces of the fin 240 a.

In the semiconductor device 200 b of example embodiments, although a material and a construction of the lower metal gate electrode 214 b 2-1 of the second gate structure 210 b 2-1 of the second region B are the same as those of the lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2-1 of the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1, the material and the construction of the lower metal gate electrode 214 b 2-1 of the second gate structure 210 b 2-1 of the second region B may be the same as those of the lower metal gate electrode 214 a 2 of the n type first gate structure 210 a 2 according to functions. Only one p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 is disposed in the first region A but the number of the n type first gate structure 210 a 2 and the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 is not limited thereto and may be adjusted in various ways. Furthermore, the n type first gate structure 210 a 2 and the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 may not be mixed in the first region A and only one channel type first gate structure may be disposed in the first region A.

In the semiconductor device 200 b of example embodiments, the n and p type first gate structures 210 a 2 and 210 a 2-1 disposed in the first region A may have narrow widths and flat upper surfaces in the first direction (x direction), and the second gate structure 210 b 2-1 disposed in the second region B may have a broad width and a convex upper surface in the first direction (x direction). Meanwhile, widths of the n type first gate structure 210 a 2 and the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 in the first direction (x direction) may be the same in the first region A. However, one of the widths of the n type first gate structure 210 a 2 and the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1 may be greater according to circumstances.

As described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12 above, upper surfaces of the n type first gate structure 210 a 2, the p type first gate structure 210 a 2-1, the spacer 230 a, and the interlayer insulating film 220 a may have a same height and constitute one plane in the first region A, and upper surfaces of the second gate structure 210 b 2-1, the spacer 230 b, and the interlayer insulating film 220 b may have gentle inclines tapered toward a center potion of the interlayer insulating film 220 b from a center portion of the second gate structure 210 b 2-1 in the second region B.

In connection with a semiconductor device including a fin, constructions similar to those of gate structures of the semiconductor devices 100 a and 100 e of FIGS. 4 and 8 are described above but the semiconductor device including the fin is not limited thereto. Constructions of gate structures of the semiconductor devices 100 b, 100 c, and 100 d of FIGS. 5 through 7 may also be applied to the semiconductor device including the fin. Furthermore, if a gate structure has a narrow width and a flat upper surface in one region, and another gate structure has a broad width and a convex upper surface in another region, constructions of gate structures other than the above-described gate structures may also be applied to the semiconductor device including the fin.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are circuit and layout diagrams, respectively, for describing a semiconductor device 300, according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the semiconductor device 300 of example embodiments may include a pair of inverters INV1 and INV2 connected in parallel to each other between a power node Vcc and a ground node Vss and a first pass transistor PS 1 and a second pass transistor PS2 that are connected to output nodes of the inverters INV1 and INV2, respectively. The first pass transistor PSI and the second pass transistor PS2 may be respectively connected to a bit line BL and a complementary bit line BL/. Gates of the first pass transistor PS1 and the second pass transistor PS2 may be connected to a word line WL.

The first inverter INV1 may include a first pull-up transistor PU1 and a first pull-down transistor PD1 that are connected in serial to each other. The second inverter INV2 may include a second pull-up transistor PU2 and a second pull-down transistor PU2 that are connected in serial to each other. The first pull-up transistor PU1 and the second pull-up transistor PU2 may be PMOS transistors. The first pull-down transistor PD1 and the second pull-down transistor PU2 may be NMOS transistors.

To constitute one latch circuit, an input node of the first inverter INV1 may be connected to the output node of the second inverter INV2, and an input node of the second inverter INV2 may be connected to the output node of the first inverter INV1.

First through fourth active regions 310, 320, 330, and 340 that are spaced apart from each other may long extend in the first direction (x direction). Extension lengths of the second and third active regions 320 and 330 may be smaller than those of the first and fourth active regions 310 and 340.

First through fourth gate electrodes 351, 352, 353, and 354 may long extend in the second direction (y direction) and may cross the first and fourth active regions 310 and 340. In more detail, the first gate electrode 351 may cross the first active region 310 and the second active region 320 and may partially overlap with a longitudinal end of the third active region 330. The third gate electrode 353 may cross the third active region 330 and the fourth active region 340 and may partially overlap with a longitudinal end of the second active region 320. The second gate electrode 352 and the fourth gate electrode 354 may respectively cross the first active region 310 and the fourth active region 340.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first pull-up transistor PU1 may be defined in a region in which the first gate electrode 351 and the second active region 320 cross each other, the first pull-down transistor PD1 may be defined in a region in which the first gate electrode 351 and the first active region 310 cross each other, and the first pass transistor PS1 may be defined in a region in which the second gate electrode 352 and the first active region 310 cross each other. The second pull-up transistor PU2 may be defined in a region in which the third gate electrode 353 and the third active region 330 cross each other, the second pull-down transistor PD2 may be defined in a region in which the third gate electrode 353 and the fourth active region 340 cross each other, and the second pass transistor PS2 may be defined in a region in which the fourth gate electrode 354 and the fourth active region 340 cross each other.

Although not clearly shown FIGS. 16 and 17, source/drain may be formed in both sides of regions in which the first through fourth gate electrodes 351, 352, 353, and 354 and the first through fourth active regions 310, 320, 330, and 340 cross each other. In addition, a shared contact 361 may simultaneously connect the second active region 320, the third gate electrode 353, and a wiring 371. The shared contact 362 may simultaneously connect the third active region 330, the first gate electrode 351, and a wiring 372.

For example, the semiconductor device 300 of example embodiments may correspond to SRAM. In this regard, the first through fourth gate electrodes 351, 352, 353, and 354 may correspond to one of gate structures formed in the first region A among the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 200, 200 a, and 200 b of FIGS. 1 through 15. The first through fourth active regions 310, 320, 330, and 340 may correspond to active regions or fins formed in a semiconductor substrate of the first region A among the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 200, 200 a, and 200 b of FIGS. 1 through 15. Although not shown, when a transistor is disposed in a peripheral region of the SRAM to apply power or ground, gate electrodes and active regions of the transistor may correspond to gate structures formed in the second region B and active regions or fins formed in a semiconductor substrate of the first region A among the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 200, 200 a, and 200 b of FIGS. 1 through 15.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are block diagrams respectively illustrating electronic systems 1100 and 1200 including semiconductor devices, according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 18, the electronic system 1100 according to example embodiments may include a controller 1110, an I/O device 1120, a memory 1130, an interface 1140, and a bus 1150. The controller 1110, the I/O device 1120, the memory 1130, and/or the interface 1140 may be connected to one another via the bus 1150. The bus 1150 may be a path through which data is transmitted between elements.

The controller 1110 may include at least one of a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and logic devices for performing similar functions thereto. The I/O device 1120 may include a keypad, a keyboard, and a display device. The memory 1130 may store data and/or commands. The interface 1140 may transmit data to a communication network or receive data from the communication network. The interface 1140 may be a wired interface or a wireless interface. For example, the interface 1140 may include an antenna or a wired/wireless transceiver.

Although not shown, the electronic system 1100 may further include relatively high speed DRAM and/or SRAM as operating memory for enhancing an operation of the controller 1110. At least one of the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 200, 200 a, and 200 b of the example embodiments may be provided in one memory 1130 or as a part of the controller 1110 and/or the I/O device 1120.

The electronic system 1100 may be applied to a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a web tablet, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, a digital music player, a memory card, or any electronic product for wirelessly transmitting and/or receiving information.

Referring to FIG. 19, the electronic system 1200 according to example embodiments may be a memory card. The electronic system 1200 may include a memory 1210 and a memory controller 1220. The memory controller 1220 may control a data exchange between a host 2000 and the memory 1210. The memory 1210 and memory controller 1220 may include at least one of the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 200, 200 a, and 200 b of the example embodiments.

The memory controller 1220 may include SRAM 1221, a central processing unit (CPU) 1222, a host interface 1223, an error correction code (ECC) 1224, and a memory interface 1225. The SRAM 1221 may be used as operating memory of the CPU 1222. The host interface 1223 may include a protocol to allow a host 200 to connect to the electronic system 1200 and exchange data. The ECC 1224 may detect and correct an error of data read from memory 1210. The memory interface 1225 may interface with the memory 1210 to input and output the data. The CPU 1222 may perform overall control operations relating to a data exchange of a memory controller 1220.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are schematic diagrams illustrating example electronic systems applicable to semiconductor devices, according to example embodiments.

FIGS. 20 and 21 respectively illustrate a tablet PCT and a notebook. At least one of the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 200, 200 a, and 200 b of the example embodiments may be used in the tablet PC and/or the notebook. At least one of the semiconductor devices 100, 100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d, 100 e, 200, 200 a, and 200 b of the example embodiments may be applied to other electronic systems that are not illustrated.

FIGS. 22A through 22F are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device of FIGS. 1 through 3, according to example embodiments. The description already made with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 will be briefly given or omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 22A, dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 and spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1 may be formed on the semiconductor substrate 101.

In more detail, a sacrificing insulating film and a sacrificing gate film may be formed on the semiconductor substrate 101, the sacrificing insulating film and the sacrificing gate film may be patterned through a photolithography process, the first dummy gate structure 110 d may be formed in the first region A, and the second dummy gate structure 110 d 1 may be formed in the second region B. The sacrificing insulating film may be formed of amorphous carbon layer (ACL) having a relatively great amount of carbon or C—SOH. The sacrificing gate film may be formed of polysilicon. However, materials of the sacrificing insulating film and the sacrificing gate film are not limited to those materials.

The first dummy gate structure 110 d and the second dummy gate structure 110 d 1 may extend in a second direction (in a direction going out or into a surface of paper). The first dummy gate structure 110 d may include a first dummy gate insulating film 112 d and a first dummy gate electrode 114 d. The second dummy gate structure 110 d 1 may include a second dummy gate insulating film 112 d 1 and a second dummy gate electrode 114 d 1.

The first dummy gate structure 110 d or the first dummy gate electrode 114 d in the first direction (x direction) may have the first width W1. The second dummy gate structure 110 d 1 or the second dummy gate electrode 114 d 1 in the first direction (x direction) may have the second width W2. For example, the first width W1 may be less than 80 nm, and the second width W2 may be more than 80 nm. Upon relatively comparing the first width D1 and the second width W2, the second width W2 may be more than 2 times the first width W1.

After forming the first dummy gate structure 110 d and the second dummy gate structure 110 d 1, the spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1 may be formed on both side walls of each of the first dummy gate structure 110 d and the second dummy gate structure 110 d 1. The spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1 may be formed by forming an insulating film that uniformly covers a resultant (not shown) on the semiconductor substrate 101, removing the insulating film from upper surfaces of the dummy gate electrodes 114 d and 114 d 1 and the semiconductor substrate 101 through dry etch and/or etch-back, and remaining the insulating film on both side walls of the dummy gate electrodes 114 d and 114 d 1. The spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1 may be formed as, for example, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, or a silicon oxynitride film.

After forming the spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1, an ion injection process may be performed by using the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 and the spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1 as a mask, thereby forming an impurity region on the semiconductor substrate 101, for example, source/drain regions 107 a and 107 b. Before forming the spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1, the ion injection process may be performed to form a lightly doped drain (LDD) region.

Referring to FIG. 22B, interlayer insulating films 120 a 1 and 120 b 1 may be formed by forming an insulating film covering the resultant on the semiconductor substrate 101 and planarizing the insulating film. The insulating film may be planarized through CMP. Upper surfaces of the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 may be exposed by planarizing the insulating film. The interlayer insulating films 120 a 1 and 120 b 1 may include at least one of the silicon oxide film, the silicon nitride film, the silicon oxynitride film, and a combination of these, and may be formed of a material having a different etch selectivity from that of the spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1.

Referring to FIG. 22C, after forming the interlayer insulating films 120 a 1 and 120 b 1, the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 may be removed. The upper surface Fs of the semiconductor substrate 101 may be exposed by removing the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1. The spacers 130 a 1 and 130 b 1 and the interlayer insulating films 120 a 1 and 120 b 1 may have an etch selectivity with respect to the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1. Accordingly, the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 may be easily removed through, for example, wet etch. The dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 may be removed by sequentially removing the dummy gate electrodes 114 d and 114 d 1 and the dummy gate insulating films 112 d and 112 d 1.

Referring to FIG. 22D, after removing the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1, insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ for a gate insulating film and metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may be formed on the resultant on the semiconductor substrate 101. The insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ for the gate insulating film may be formed using the materials and methods of forming the gate insulating films 112 a and 112 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. For example, the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ for the gate insulating film may be formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of the silicon oxide film, the silicon nitride film, the silicon oxynitride film, ONO, and a high-k dielectric film having a higher dielectric constant than that of the silicon oxide film.

The metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may be formed using the materials and methods of forming the metal gate electrodes 114 a and 114 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. The metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may be formed as one metal film but may include at least two metal films. For example, the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may include a barrier metal film and an electrode metal film. The metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may include a work function adjusting film.

Referring to FIG. 22E, after forming the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′, a first planarizing process may be performed. The first planarizing process may be performed through first CMP CMP1. The metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may be only removed during the first planarizing process. Thus, a polishing agent for etching only the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may be used during the first planarizing process. In this case, the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ may function as an etch prevention film during the first planarizing process.

In the first planarizing process, the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ are only removed, and thus an overall region may be uniformly etched at a same etch speed. Accordingly, an upper surface of a remaining resultant may have an almost same height after the first planarizing process. Although the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ are not exposed in FIG. 22E, the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ may be exposed after the first planarizing process.

Referring to FIG. 22F, after the first planarizing process, a second planarizing process may be performed. The second planarizing process may be performed through second CMP CMP2. The second planarizing process may be performed until upper surfaces of the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b are exposed. During the second planarizing process, not only the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ but also the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ and upper portions of the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b may be etched. Accordingly, during the second planarizing process, a polishing agent for commonly etching the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′, the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′, and the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b may be used.

Meanwhile, the second planarizing process is used to remove the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ from the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b, and thus a polishing agent having a faster etch speed with respect to the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ and the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b than with respect to the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may be generally used. Accordingly, during the second planarizing process, an etch speed with respect to the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ may be slower than that with respect to the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ and the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b.

During the second planarizing process, due to a difference between the etch speed with respect to the metal films 114 a′ and 114 b′ and the etch speed with respect to the insulating films 112 a′ and 112 b′ and the interlayer insulating films 120 a and 120 b, a construction of the gate structure 110 a of the first region A may be different from that of the gate structure 110 b of the second region B. That is, the gate structures 110 a have narrow widths in the first direction (x direction) and small spaces therebetween in the first region A, and thus the gate structures 110 a and the interlayer insulating films 120 a may have flat upper surfaces in spite of the difference in the etch speed.

In the meantime, the gate structures 110 b have broad widths in the first direction (x direction) and the interlayer insulating films 120 b formed in both sides of the gate structures 110 b have also broad widths in the first direction (x direction) in the second region B, and thus the difference in the etch speed may be reflected on the gate structures 110 b and the interlayer insulating films 120 b. Thus, the gate structure 110 b may be etched less than the interlayer insulating film 120 b. Upper spaces of the gate structure 110 b and the interlayer insulating film 120 b may be smoothly connected together with an upper surface of the spacer 130 b. Accordingly, as shown, the upper surface of the gate structure 110 b in the second region B may be the highest in a center portion and may be lower toward an edge portion, and the upper surface of the interlayer insulating film 120 b in the second region B may be the highest in an edge portion adjacent to the gate structure 110 b and may be lower toward a center portion.

Meanwhile, the first planarizing process and the second planarizing process may use a same polishing agent. In this case, a polishing agent having a characteristic described with respect to the second planarizing process may be commonly used. Accordingly, after the second planarizing process, a construction of the gate structure 110 a of the first region A and a construction of the gate structure 110 b of the second region B may be different.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device of FIG. 4, according to example embodiments. FIG. 23A may correspond to FIG. 22C. FIG. 23B may correspond to FIG. 22D. The description already made with reference to FIGS. 4 and 22A through 22F will be briefly given or omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 23A, a dummy gate electrode may be removed after forming the interlayer insulating films 120 a 1 and 120 b 1 as described with reference to FIG. 22B. However, unlike as described with reference to FIG. 22C, the insulating films 112 a and 112 b formed in a lower portion of the dummy gate electrode may not be removed but remain. The insulating films 112 a and 112 b that are not removed may be used as gate insulating films later.

In more detail, when the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 are formed in FIG. 22A, insulating films for a gate insulating film may be formed instead of a sacrificing insulating film. Accordingly, the insulating films for the gate insulating film may be formed of the same material as that of the gate insulating films 120 a and 120 b of the semiconductor device 100 of FIGS. 1 through 3. After forming the insulating films for the gate insulating film, a dummy gate film may be formed, and the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 may be formed through patterning. The dummy gate film may be formed of polysilicon as described with reference to FIG. 22A.

Referring to FIG. 23B, after removing the dummy gate electrode, lower metal films 114 a 1′ and 114 b 1′ and upper metal films 116 a 1′ and 116 b 1′ may be sequentially formed on a resultant of the semiconductor substrate 101. Materials or methods of forming the lower metal films 114 a 1′ and 114 b 1′ are the same as those of the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 1 and 114 b 1 of the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4. Materials or methods of forming the upper metal films 116 a 1′ and 116 b 1′ are the same as those of the upper metal gate electrodes 116 a 1 and 116 b 1 of the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4.

Thereafter, the semiconductor device 100 a of FIG. 4 may be manufactured by performing first and second planarizing processes as described with reference to FIGS. 22E and 22F.

FIGS. 24A through 24D are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device of FIG. 8, according to example embodiments. The description already made with reference to FIGS. 8 and 22A through 22F will be briefly given or omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 24A, after removing the dummy gate structures 110 d and 110 d 1 through a process of FIGS. 22A through 22C, insulating films 112 a 5′ and 112 b 5′ for the gate insulating film and first lower metal films 113 a and 113 b may be sequentially formed. The insulating films 112 a 5′ and 112 b 5′ for the gate insulating film may correspond to the gate insulating films 112 a 5 and 112 b 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8, and thus materials or methods of forming the insulating films 112 a 5′ and 112 b 5′ for the gate insulating film are the same as those of the gate insulating films 112 a 5 and 112 b 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. Meanwhile, the first lower metal films 113 a and 113 b may correspond to a part of the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5-1 of the p type first gate structure 110 a 5-1 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. For example, the first lower metal films 113 a and 113 b may function as a p type work function adjusting film.

After forming the first lower metal films 113 a and 113 b, a mask layer 210 covering the second region B and a portion in which a p type first gate structure is to be formed in the first region A may be formed. If a second gate structure of the second region B is formed as an n type, the mask layer 210 may not be formed on the second region B. The mask layer 210 may be formed of photoresist (PR) or formed of an extra material layer through PR patterning.

Referring to FIG. 24B, a portion of the first lower metal film 113 a exposed in the first region A may be removed by using the mask layer 210 as an etch mask. In more detail, a portion of the first lower metal film 113 a corresponding to a portion in which an n type first gate structure is to be formed may be removed. After removing a part of the first lower metal film 113 a of the first region A, the mask layer 210 may be removed. By removing the mask layer 210, it may be seen that first lower metal films 113 a′ and 113 b′ on the second region B and the portion in which the p type first gate structure is formed in the first region A remain.

Referring to FIG. 24C, after removing a part of the first lower metal film 113 a, second lower metal films 114 a 5′ and 114 b 5′ may be formed on a resultant of the semiconductor substrate 101. The second lower metal film 114 a 5′ of a portion corresponding to the n type first gate structure of the first region A may constitute the lower metal gate electrode 114 a 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. The second lower metal films 114 a 5′ of the portion corresponding to the p type first gate structure of the first region A and the second lower metal films 114 b 5′ of the second region B, with the first lower metal films 113 a′ and 113 b′, may constitute the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 5-1 and 114 b 5-1 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. Thus, materials or methods of forming the second lower metal films 114 a 5′ and 114 b 5′ may be the same as those of the lower metal gate electrodes 114 a 5, 114 a 5-1, and 114 b 5-1 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. The second lower metal film 114 a 5′ may function as a common work function adjusting film in the first region A.

The first lower metal films 113 a′ and the second lower metal films 114 a 5′ of the portion corresponding to the p type first gate structure of the first region A, and the first lower metal films 113 b′ and the second lower metal films 114 b 5′ of the second region B will be illustrated as one single film and referred to as united second lower metal films 114 a 5-1′ and 114 b 5-1′ below.

Referring to FIG. 24D. after forming the second lower metal films 114 a 5′ and 114 b 5′, metal films 116 a 5′ and 116 b 5′ for a barrier metal film and upper metal films 118 a 5′ and 118 b 5′ may be sequentially formed on the resultant of the semiconductor substrate 101. The metal films 116 a 5′ and 116 b 5′ for the barrier metal film may correspond to the barrier metal films 116 a 5 and 116 b 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. The upper metal films 118 a 5′ and 118 b 5′ may correspond to the upper metal gate electrodes 118 a 5 and 118 b 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8. Accordingly, materials or methods of forming the metal films 116 a 5′ and 116 b 5′ for the barrier metal film and the upper metal films 118 a 5′ and 118 b 5′ are the same as those of the barrier metal films 116 a 5 and 116 b 5 and the upper metal films 118 a 5 and 118 b 5 of the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8.

Meanwhile, the united second lower metal film 114 a 5-1′ may be formed in the portion corresponding to the p type first gate structure of the first region A and may be thicker than the second lower metal film 114 a 5′. Accordingly, only the metal film 116 a 5′ for the barrier metal film may be formed on the united second lower metal film 114 a 5-1′ in a trench in the portion corresponding to the p type first gate structure of the first region. In other words, the upper metal film 118 a 5′ may not be formed in the trench.

Thereafter, the semiconductor device 100 e of FIG. 8 may be manufactured by performing first and second planarizing processes as described with reference to FIGS. 22E and 22F.

FIGS. 25A through 25G and FIGS. 26A through 26G are cross-sectional views for describing a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device of FIGS. 9 through 12, according to example embodiments. FIGS. 25A through 25G are cross-sectional views corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of the semiconductor device of FIG. 9. FIGS. 26A through 26G are cross-sectional views corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along lines III-III′ and IV-IV′ of the semiconductor device of FIG. 9. The descriptions already made with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12 and FIGS. 22A through 22F will be briefly given or omitted for convenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 26A, the first lower fin 240 a-1 may be formed in the first region A and the second lower fin 240 b-1 may be formed in the second region B by etching an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate 201. The first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 may extend in a first direction (in a direction going out or into a surface of paper) on the semiconductor substrate 201. Descriptions of the semiconductor substrate 201 and the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 are the same as those of the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12.

Referring to FIG. 26B, after forming the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1, the first device isolation film 250 a covering lower portions of both side surfaces of the first lower fin 240 a-1 and the second device isolation film 250 b covering lower portions of both side surfaces of the second lower fin 240 b-1 may be formed. The first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b are formed as described above, and thus upper portions of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 may protrude from the first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b.

The first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b may be formed by forming and planarizing an insulating film covering a resultant of the semiconductor substrate 201 and removing upper portions of the first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b such that the upper portions of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 may protrude. Descriptions of materials of the first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b are the same as those of the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12.

Referring to FIGS. 25A and 26C, after forming the first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b, dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1 may be formed, and first interlayer insulating films 220 a 0 and 220 b) may be formed in both side surfaces of the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1. A process of forming the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1 and the first interlayer insulating films 220 a 0 and 220 b) is the same as described with reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B. However, the first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b surrounding lower portions of both side surfaces of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 are formed, and thus the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1 and the first interlayer insulating films 220 a 0 and 220 b) may surround upper and side surfaces of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 on the first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b.

Meanwhile, the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1 may extend, for example, in the second direction (y direction). Spacers 230 a 1 and 230 b 1 may be formed between the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1 and the first interlayer insulating films 220 a 0 and 220 b 0.

Referring to FIG. 25B, the first interlayer insulating films 220 a 0 and 220 b 0 may be removed by using the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1 and the spacers 230 a 1 and 230 b 1 as a mask. Upper portions of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 exposed by the first interlayer insulating films 220 a 0 and 220 b 0 may also be removed. Portions of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 up to locations corresponding to upper surfaces of the first and second device isolation film 250 a and 250 b may be removed.

Thereafter, first and second upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may be formed by growing an epitaxial layer from the remaining first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1. The first lower fin 240 a-1 and the first upper fin 240 a-2 may constitute the first fin 240 a in the first region A. The second lower fin 240 b-1 and the second upper fin 240 b-2 may constitute the second fin 240 b in the second region B.

As shown, upper surfaces of the first and second upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may be higher than those of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 of the lower portions of the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1. The first and second upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2 may cover a part of lower potions of the spacers 230 a 1 and 230 b 1.

Referring to FIG. 25C, after forming the first and second upper fins 240 a-2 and 240 b-2, second interlayer insulating films 220 a 1 and 220 b 1 may be formed by forming and planarizing an insulating film covering the resultant of the semiconductor substrate 201. The second interlayer insulating films 220 a 1 and 220 b 1 may correspond to the second interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b of the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12. Accordingly, materials of the second interlayer insulating films 220 a 1 and 220 b 1 may be the same as those of the second interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b of the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12.

Referring to FIGS. 25D and 26D, after forming the second interlayer insulating films 220 a 1 and 220 b 1, the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1 may be removed as described with reference to FIG. 22C. As shown in FIG. 26D, a part of upper and side surfaces of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1 may be exposed by removing the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 26D, after removing the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1, the spacers 230 a 1 and 230 b 1 may be seen as the outside of the upper and side surfaces of the first and second lower fins 240 a-1 and 240 b-1.

Referring to FIGS. 25E and 26E, after removing the dummy gate structures 210 d and 210 d 1, insulating films 212 a′ and 212 b′ for a gate insulating film, lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′, and upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′ may be sequentially formed on the resultant of the semiconductor substrate 201. The insulating films 212 a′ and 212 b′ for the gate insulating film, the lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′, and the upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′ may respectively correspond to the gate insulating films 212 a and 212 b, the lower metal gate electrodes 214 a and 214 b, and the upper metal gate electrodes 216 a and 216 b of the semiconductor device 200 of FIGS. 9 through 12. Accordingly, materials or functions of the insulating films 212 a′ and 212 b′ for the gate insulating film, the lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′, and the upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′ are the same as described with reference to the semiconductor device 200 of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 25F and 26F, after forming the insulating films 212 a′ and 212 b′ for the gate insulating film, the lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′, and the upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′, a first planarizing process may be performed. The first planarizing process may be performed through the first CMP CMP1. The first planarizing process may be similar to the first planarizing process described with reference to FIGS. 22E. In more detail, during the first planarizing process, a polishing agent for etching only the lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′ and the upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′ may be used. The insulating films 212 a′ and 212 b′ for the gate insulating film may function as an etch prevention film during the first planarizing process.

In the first planarizing process, only the lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′ and the upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′ may be etched, and thus an overall region may be uniformly etched at a same etch speed. Accordingly, an upper surface of a remaining resultant may have an almost same height after the first planarizing process.

Referring to FIGS. 25G and 26G, after the first planarizing process, a second planarizing process may be performed. The second planarizing process may be performed through the second CMP CMP2. The second planarizing process may be performed until upper surfaces of the second interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b are exposed. The second planarizing process may be similar to the second planarizing process described with reference to FIG. 22F.

In more detail, not only the lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′ and the upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′ but also the insulating films 212 a′ and 212 b′ for the gate insulating film and the interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b may be etched during the second planarizing process. Accordingly, a polishing agent for commonly etching the lower metal films 214 a′ and 214 b′, the upper metal films 216 a′ and 216 b′, the insulating films 212 a′ and 212 b′ for the gate insulating film, and the interlayer insulating films 220 a and 220 b may be used during the second planarizing process.

Meanwhile, as described in the second planarizing process of FIG. 22F, after the second planarizing process, a construction of the gate structure 210 a of the first region A may be different from that of the gate structure 210 b of the second region B. That is, upper surfaces of the gate structures 210 a and the interlayer insulating film 220 a may have a same height and flat in the first region A. An upper surface of the gate structure 210 b of the second region B may be the highest in a center portion and may be lower toward an edge portion, and an upper surface of the interlayer insulating film 220 b in the second region B may be the highest in an edge portion adjacent to the gate structure 210 b and may be lower toward a center portion.

While the inventive concepts have been particularly shown and described with reference to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. Accordingly, the true technical scope of the inventive concepts is defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. 

1. A semiconductor device comprising: at least one first gate structure on a semiconductor substrate, the at least one first gate structure having a flat upper surface extending in a first direction and having a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and at least one second gate structure on the semiconductor substrate, the at least one second gate structure having a convex upper surface extending in the first direction and having a second width in the second direction, the second width being greater than the first width.
 2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the at least one second gate structure has a height in a third direction greater in a center portion than at an edge portion of the at least one second gate structure in the second direction.
 3. The semiconductor device of claim 1, further comprising: an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, the interlayer insulating film adjacent to side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure in the second direction, wherein a height of an upper surface of the interlayer insulating film in a third direction decreases at an increased distance from the side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure in the second direction.
 4. The semiconductor device of claim 1, further comprising: a spacer surrounding side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure, wherein a height of the upper surface of the at least one second gate structure in a third direction is greater at a center portion than at the side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure adjacent the spacer in the second direction, and wherein a height of an upper surface of the spacer in the third direction continuously decreases at an increased distance from the side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure in the second direction.
 5. The semiconductor device of claim 4, further comprising: an interlayer insulating film adjacent the spacer, wherein a height of an upper surface of the interlayer insulating film in the third direction continuously decreases at an increased distance from side surfaces of the spacer in the second direction.
 6. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the second width of the at least one second gate structure is at least 80 nm.
 7. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the first width of the at least one first gate structure is less than 80 nm.
 8. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the second width of the at least one second gate structure is greater by at least two times than the first width of the at least one first gate structure.
 9. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first gate structure is a plurality of first gate structures adjacent to each other, further comprising: an interlayer insulating film between two first gate structures of the plurality of first gate structures adjacent to each other, the interlayer insulating film having a flat upper surface at a same plane as an upper surface of the two first gate structures.
 10. The semiconductor device of claim 1, further comprising: an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, the at least one first gate structure and the at least one second gate structure filling trenches in the interlayer insulating film, wherein the at least one first gate structure and the at least one second gate structure include first and second gate insulating films, and first and second metal gate electrode films on the first and second gate insulating films, respectively, and wherein an upper surface of the first metal gate electrode film is flat, and an upper surface of the second metal gate electrode film is convex.
 11. The semiconductor device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one fin protruding from the semiconductor substrate, the at least one fin extending in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the at least one first gate structure and the at least one second gate structure extend to cover a portion of the at least one fin.
 12. The semiconductor device of claim 11, further comprising: interlayer insulating films adjacent side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure and covering a portion of the at least one fin that is not covered by the at least one second gate structure, wherein a height of the upper surface of the at least one second gate structure in a third direction is greater at a center portion than at the side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure adjacent the interlayer insulating films in the second direction, and wherein upper surfaces of the interlayer insulating films decreases at an increased distance from the side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure in the second direction.
 13. The semiconductor device of claim 12, further comprising: a spacer surrounding side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure, wherein a height of an upper surface of the spacer in the third direction continuously decreases at an increased distance from the side surfaces of the at least one second gate structure in the second direction.
 14. The semiconductor device of claim 11, wherein the at least one first gate structure is a plurality of first gate structures adjacent to each other, further comprising: interlayer insulating films adjacent side surfaces of the plurality of first gate structures and covering a portion of the at least one fin that is not covered by the plurality of first gate structures, the interlayer insulating films having a flat upper surface at a same plane as upper surfaces of two adjacent first gate structures of the plurality of first gate structures.
 15. The semiconductor device of claim 11, wherein the at least one first gate structure constitutes a transistor of a cell region, and the at least one second gate structure constitutes a transistor of one of a logic region and a peripheral region. 16-33. (canceled)
 34. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region; and at least two gate structures on the semiconductor substrate, the at least two gate structures including, at least one first gate structure in the first region, the at least one first gate structure having a flat upper surface extending in a first direction and having a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a second gate structure in the second region, the second gate structure having a convex upper surface extending in the first direction and having a second width in the second direction, the second width being greater by at least two times than the first width.
 35. The semiconductor device of claim 34, wherein the upper surface of the second gate structure has a height in a third direction greater in a center portion than at an edge portion of the second gate structure in the second direction.
 36. The semiconductor device of claim 34, wherein the second width of the second gate structure is at least 80 nm, and the first width of the at least one first gate structure is less than 80 nm.
 37. The semiconductor device of claim 34, further comprising: an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, the interlayer insulating film adjacent to side surfaces of the second gate structure in the second direction, wherein a height of an upper surface of the interlayer insulating film in a third direction decreases at an increased distance from the side surfaces of the second gate structure in the second direction.
 38. The semiconductor device of claim 34, further comprising: a spacer surrounding side surfaces of the second gate structure, wherein a height of the upper surface of the second gate structure in a third direction is greater at a center portion than at the side surfaces of the second gate structure adjacent the spacer in the second direction, and wherein a height of an upper surface of the spacer in the third direction continuously decreases at an increased distance from the side surfaces of the second gate structure in the second direction. 